Too often, superstars are given too much credit for their contributions to culture.
But in the case of Erykah Badu, she's deserving of every bit of praise heaped upon her
bald head. It was she who set off the new breed of socially aware female artists
with Baduizm, and with Mama's Gun she's again moved ahead of the pack of
imitators.

The future Badu was born Erykah Wright in Dallas in
1972 and began taking steps towards a music career while enrolled at Prairie View.
Her proverbial big break happened when she met Kedar Massenburg after a concert.
Massenburg, the executive given the credit for breaking nu soul to a mass audience, signed
her to his Kedar label and groomed her a female counterpart to D'Angelo.

"On and On" distinguished itself from the clutter of r&b
saturating the airwaves with its minimalist beat and thought-provoking lyrics, but what
grabbed your immediate attention was that voice: like hearing Billie Holliday transported
to 2000, Badu possessed a vocal tone as suited to jazz torch numbres as hip-hop soul.

She became an overnight sensation and symbolic leader of a musical
movement along with Lauryn Hill. A live album affirmed her unique approach to
revitalizing soul music, and set up the release of Mama's Gun.

Gun dispelled any hopes that she would suffer a sophomore
slump. But the music did not come easy. The growth exhibited between Baduizm
and Gun came about as a result of a multitude of experiences she went through in the
aftermath of her taste of success: a failed relationship, a backlash from those who
thought her image was a fraud, pressures from people who wanted her to be a political
leader.

In order to get a grip on herself, she went back to basics, eschewing
fancy (if functional) clothes, cutting her hair and rededicating herself to her craft.
The result was a stunning work full of emotion and sincerity, the main ingredients
of all classic albums. Following its release she toured to rave reviews.

Erykah Badu's Deepest Grooves

Baduizm(Kedar, 1997)The start of a legendary career. Seeing Ron Carter in the credits
next to the Roots provides a clue as to her musical vision. "On and On"
and "Next Lifetime" form the hit foundation around which gems like "Apple
Tree" are framed.

Live(Kedar, 1998)Solidified her status as a soul queen. In an age when most performers
are reliant on DATs to bolster their sound, Badu's crack band cuts through covers of Roy
Ayers with ease. "Tyrone" became a leftfield hit too.

Mama's
Gun(Motown, 2000)Difficult not to shower with superlatives. Threw people for a loop
with open-ended groovefests like "Penitentiary Philosophy" and shocked folks
with her legit vocal prowess on "In Love With You." Roy Ayers pops up to
lay his vibes on "Cleva" and her catharsis to her relationship with Andre from
Outkast, "Green Eyes," must be heard. Essential.